6-exomethylene steroids and process therefor



3,074,935 6-EXOMETHYLENE STEROEDS AND PROCESS THEREFQR John Fried, Plainiieid, Anthony N. Nutile, Elizabeth, and

Glen E. Arth, Cranford, NJ, assignors to Merck & (10.,

Inc, Rahway, Ni, a corporation of New Jersey No Drawing. 1960, Ser. No. 35,416

30 Claims. (Ci. 260-23955) This invention is concerned generally with novel steroid compounds and with processes of making the same. More particularly, it relates to novel 6-exomethylene- A -steroid-3-ones and fi-exo-methylene-A steroid-3-ones and to the process of making such compounds, starting with a 5a-steroid-3,6-dione.

In accordance wit the present invention, we have found that the novel 6-exornethylene-A steroid-3-on'es can be prepared from the 5ec-steroid-3,6-diones by a follows, showing the molecule:

process which can be represented as rings of the steroid AandB H=CH2 t O at t O u H2011 OH VIII 1X 'al-kylenedioxy-steroid (1V-C) and requires separation therefrom. Upon hydrogenation of (IV-A) using a catalyst, the corresponding 6-vinyl-derivative (V) 'is obtained, which then oxidized with osmium tetroxide to give the corresponding 6-diol (V1). The latter compound is then reacted with periodic acid to cleave the 6- United States Patent O 3,74,935 Patented Jan. 22, 11953 diol and give the G-formyl-derivative (VII). Reduction of (V11) with sodium borohydride gives the 6-hydroxymethyl derivative (VIII), which on dehydration with an acidic reagent such as p-toluenesulf-onic acid forms the 6-exomethylene derivative (IX). Any protecting groups which are present at C-17, or in a side chain attached at the C-17 position of the steroid molecule, may then be removed.

In the first step of our process, the S-keto-group of the 5wsteroid-3,6-dione (protected at C-17 as indicated above) is blocked by forming the 3-alkylenedioxy deriva live. In a preferred embodiment of our invention the 3- keto group is protected by forming the 3-ethylenedioxy derivative. This derivative 18 prepared by reaction of a solution of the steroid in a solvent such as benzene with an equivalent amount of ethylene glycol and p-toluenesulionic acid for 8-12 hours. The product may be recovered by washing with aqueous sodium bicarbonate, drying and concentrating in vacuo.

The 3-keto group may also be converted into the 3- ethylenedioxy derivative by exchange dioxolanation, which involves acid-catalyzed transfer of the ethylene glycol portion of simple 2,2-dialltyl-1,3-dioxolanes, such as 2,2'-dimethyl-l,S-dioxolane (acetone ethyleneketal) or, better, 2-methyl-2-ethyl-1,3-dioxolane (but-anone ethylene-ketal), with the 3-ketone steroid either in an inert solvent, as benzene, or simply in excess reagent.

Other cyclic ltetal derivatives can be used in our process -for protecting a ketone group at 0-3. In general, we

have found that the lower alkylenedioxy derivatives, wherein the hydrocarbon group contains not more than seven carbon atoms, such as the ethylenedioxy, trimethylenedioxy, propylenedioxy and butylenedioxy derivatives are suitable in carrying out the processes of our invention. However, in place of using a lower alkylenedioxy suhstituent to block or protect the keto substituent, we can use other derivatives'readily hydrolyzable to keto, such as a dialky-l ketal, an enol ether monothioket-al, or 'a dithioketal derivative for this purpose.

The second step of our process, comprising the reaction of the 3-alkylenedioxy-5a-steroid (II) with acetylene magnesium bromide, is brought about by adding a solureaction mixture at 30 tion of the reaction, the 6-ethynyl-3alkylenedioxy-A zene, ethyl acetate, methylene drying the extracts and concentrating in vacuo. The

tures containing varying quantities of ether and petroleum ether may also yield the 6-ethynyl-3-alkylenedioxy-A -stederivative, 6-([2]chloro-[l, 2]-propadie11e)-3-alkylenedioxy-steroid (IVC). These process, the 6-thynyl-3-alkylenedioxy-A -steroid (IV-A) is hydrogenated to the corresponding 6-vinyl-derivative able solvent, such as ethyl acetate, is hydrogenated at In the fifth step of our reaction, the crude 6-vinyl-3- alkylenedioxy-A -steroid (V) is oxidized to the 6-([1,2]- ethanediol) -3 -alkylenedioxy-A -steroid VI) dation The reaction is carried out in a solvent such as benzene by allowing the mixture diol-3,6,20-trione,

sulfite, distilling oil the benzene, adding more methanol The prodextracting 4 The solvent layer is washed With Water, dried and concentrated in vacuo it? give the 6 -([l,2]=ethanedil)=3-allc'leiiedioxy-n -steroid (VI), Which can be used without further purification in the next step of the synthesis;

In the sixth step of o r formyl-3-alkylenedioxy-A -steroid (VII). Any contamination of the 6-ethynyl-3-alkylenedioxy-A -steroid (IV-A) with the 6-ethynyl-3-alkylenedioxy-A -steroid (IV-B) formed as a by-product in the third step of our process will result in the recovery of some 6-formyl-3-alkylenedioxy- A -steroid in the 6th step Crystallization from a solvent such as benzene gives the 6-hydroxymethyl-3-alkylenedioxy-A steroid.

In the eighth step of our synthesis, dehydration of the 6- ydroxymethyl-group, together with simultaneous removal of the 3-alkylenedioxy group, results in the con version of the 6-hydroxymethyl-3-aikylenedioxy-A -steroid (VIII) into the 6-exomethylene-A -steroid-3-one (IX). Th" is readily brought about by reaction of a solution of the 6-hydroxymethyl-steroid (VIII) with ptoluenesulfonic acid and letting the mixture stand at temperature for several hours. The product is recovered y pouring the mixture into Water and then extracting the resulting aqueous solution with a solvent such as chloroform or ethyl acetate.

The process of forming the 6-exomethylene derivatives of the A -steroid-3-ones is not limited to any particular type of steroid compounds, but is an efiective procedure for steroid compounds generally, and includes especially pregnane series, provided that any oxygen function present at C-17, or in a side chain attached at the Cl7 position of the steroid molecule, is first If the synthesis is started with a 5a-pregnane-l7a,2l-

chain at the l7-carbon atom mation of the l7u,20,20,2l-bis-methylenedioxy derivative, the removal of the bis-methylenedioxy plished with aqueous organic acids such as formic or acetic acids.

In a preferred exomethylene l7a,20,20,21-bis-methylenedioxy-4-preg-- nene-B-one is heated on a steam methylene-4-pregnene1704,2l-diol-3,20-dione 75% yields. The organic phase is washed alkali, dried and concentrated in vacuo to give the crys-- sure at about 2025 C., to give talline product. The non-crystalline material may be recovered as the corresponding 2l-acetate aiter first cleaving any formate esters present, suitably by reaction with sodium methylate in methanol, recovering the product, and then acetylating with acetic anhydride and pyridine.

Alternately, heating the 17oc,20,2i),21-biS-1'tl6thYl6Ilfidioxy-derivative with 50% acetic acid at 100 C. for 7 hours, followed by acetylation and chromatography, gives the 6-exornethylene-4-pregnene-l7a,l113,21-triol-3; ZO-dione-Zl-acetate in 50-60% yields.

Following the procedure set forth above, 6-exomethy1ene-4-pregnene-l113,17a,21-triol-3,20-dione and the corresponding Zl-acetate are prepared by the following steps: l7(1,20,20,21-bisrnethylenedioXy-3-ethylenedioxyu-pregnane-6,11-dione is reacted with acetylene magnesium bromide to give 6a-ethynyl-17a,20,20,21-bis-methylenedioxy 3 ethylenedioxy-Sa-pregnane-oti-ol-ll-one, which is dehydrated with thionyl chloride in pyridine at 30 C. or below to form 6-ethynyl-17u,20,20,21-bis-methylenedioxy-3-ethylenedioxy-5pregnene-ll-one and also small quantities of 6-ethynyl-l7a,20,20,21-bis-methylenedioxy 3-ethylenedioxy-6-pregnene-1l-one and 6-([2]- chloro [1,2] propadiene)-l7a,20,20,2l-bis-methylenedioxy-3-ethylenedioxy-5-pregnane-ll-one. The 6-ethynyll7a,20,20,21 bis methylenedioxy-3-ethylenedioXy-5 pregnene-ll-one is separated from 6-ethynyl-l7a,20,20,- .21 b-is-methylenedioxy-3-ethylenedioxy-fi-pregnene-llone and 6-([Zlohloro-[1,21-propadiene)-17m,20,20,21- bis-methylenedioxy-3-ethylenedioxypregnane=-1l-one by chromatography on acid-washed alumina, and purified by recrystallization from ethyl acetate. The 6-ethynyll7a,20,20,21 bis methylenedioxy-3-ethylenedioxy-5- pregnene-ll-one dissolved in ethyl acetate, is then hydrogenated, using a Lindlar catalyst, at atmospheric pres- 6-vinyl-17a,20,20,Z1- bis methylened-ioxy-3-ethylenedioxy-S-pregnene-ll-one. The latter compound is oxidized with osmium tetroxide to give 6-( [1,21-ethanediol) -17a,20,20,2l-bis-methylenedioxy-3-ethylenedioxy-5-pregnene-ll-one, which is then cleaved with periodic acid to yield 6-formyl-l7ct,20,20,21-

bis-methylenedioxy-3-ethylenedioxy-5pregnene-6-formyll7 a,20,20,2l-b-is-rnethylenedioxy-3ethylenedioxy-l l-one.

The 6-formyl-l7a,20,20,2l-bis-methylenedioXy-3-ethylenedioxy-S-p-regnene-ll-one is converted into the 6-hydroxy-rnethyl-l7a,20,20,2l-bis-methylenedioxy-3ethylenedioxy-S-pregnene-llB-ol, by contacting with sodium borohydride for about 60 hours at room temperature. The 6 hydroxyrnethyl l7a,20,20,21-bis-methylenedioXy-3- ethylenedioxy-S-pregnene-lle-ol is converted into 6-exomethylene 17 a,20,20,2l-bis-methylenedioxy-4-pregnenellfl-ol-3-one by reaction with p-toluenesultonic acid at room temperature for several hours. e G-exomethylene 17 a,20,20,2l-bis-methylenedioxyA-pregnene-l1(3- ol-3-one is transformed into 6-exome-thyiene-4-pregnene- 1le,l7a,2i-triol-3,ZO-dione by heating with 60% formic acid on a steam bath. The crystalline material is the 6- eXornethyl-ene 4 pregnene-llB,l7a,2l=triol-3,ZO-dione. The non-crystalline material is recovered as the 6-exomethylene-4-pregnene-115,17 a,2l-triol-3 ,ZO-dione 21-acetate by reaction with sodium methoxide in methanol to cleave any formate esters, recovering the product, and acetylating with acetic anhydride in pyridine.

The 6-exomethylene-4-pregnene-l7ot,2l-diol-3,11,20-trione and the corresponding Zl-acetate are prepared by converting the 17a,20,20,2l-bis-methylenedioXy-3-ethyleneclioXy-Se-p-regnane-GJl-dione into the 6-ormyl-l7a,- 20,20,21 bis-methylenedioxy-3-ethylenedioXy-5-pregnenell-one as indicated above. The latter compound is then converted into the 6-hydr-oxymethyl-l7a,20,20,2l-bismethylenedioxy 3-ethylenedioxy-S-pregnene-ll-one by contacting with sodium borohydride for about 50 minutes at room temperature. The 6-hydrox methyl-l7ot,20,20,- 21 bis-methylenedioxy-3-ethylenedioxy-5-pregnene-1l-ol is converted into fi-enomethylene-l7a,20,20,2l bis-methylenedioxyl-pregnened,ll-dione by reaction with p-toluene-sultonic acid at room temperature for several hours. The 6-exomethylene-l7or,20,20,2l-bis-methylenedioxylpregnene-3,ll-dione is transformed into 6-exomethylene- 4-pregnene-l7a,2l-diol-3,l1,20-trione by heating wi 60% formic acid on a steam bath. The crystalline material is the 6-eXo-methylene-4-pregnene-17,2l-diol-3,ll,- 20-trione. The non-crystalline material is recovered as the 6 exomethylenel-pregnene-l7a,2l-diol-3,l1,20-trione-2l-acetate by reaction with sodium methoxide in methanol to cleave any formate esters, recovering the product, and acetylating with acetic anhydride in pyri- Following the procedure set forth above, t-Tl'lBthY1-6- exomethylene-4-pregnene-l l6, l7 a,2l-triol-3 ,20-dione and the corresponding 21-acetate are prepared by the following steps: 16a methyl-l7ot-20,20,2l-bis-methylenedioxy- 3-ethylenedioxy-5a-pregnane-6,ll-dione is reacted with acetylene magnesium bromide to give loot-methyl-methynyl-l7a,20,20,2l-bis-methylenedioxy 3 ethylenedioxy-5a-pregnane6B-ol-ll-one, which is dehydrated with thionyl chloride in pyridine at 30 C. or below to form l6a-methyl-6-ethynyl l7a,20,20,21 bis-methylenedioxy- 3-ethylenedioxy-5-pregnene-ll-one and also small quantities of l6u-methyl-6-ethynyl-17a,20,20,2l-bismethylenedioxy-3-ethylenedioxy-6-pregnene-ll-one and l6a-methyl- 6-([2]-chloro-[1,2]-propadiene) l7a,20,20,2l-bis-methylenedioXy-3-ethylenedioxy-5'-pregnane-ll-one. The 16ccmethyl-6-ethynyl-17a,20,20,2l bis methylenedioxy 3- ethylenedioxy-S-pregnene-ll-one is separated from the by-products by chromatography on acid-washed alumina, and purified by recrystallization from ethyl acetate. The 160a methyl 6 ethynyl-l7a,20,20,ZI-biS-methylenedioxy-3-ethylenedioxy-5-pregnene-ll-one, dissolved in ethyl acetate, is then hydrogenated, using a Lindlar catalyst, at atmospheric pressure at about 20-25 C., to give 160:- methyl-6-vinyl 17a,20,20,21 bis methylenedioxy-3-ethylenedioxy-S-pregnene-ll-one. The latter compound is oxidized with osmium tetroxide to give l6ot-methyl-6- ([l,2]-ethanediol)-l7oc,20,20-,2l bis methylenedioXy-3- ethylenedioxy-S-pregnene-li-one, which is then cleaved with periodic acid to yield l6a-methyl-6-formyl-17ot,20, 20,2l-bis-methylenedioxy 3 ethylenedioxy-S-pregnenell-one.

The 16cc methyl-6-formyl 17oc,20,20,21 bis-methylenedioxy-3-ethylenedioxy-5-pregnene-ll-one is converted into the 16tit-methyl-6-hydroxymethyl-17u,20,20,21-bismethylenedioxy 3 ethylenedioxy-S-pregnene-l15-01, by contacting with sodium borohydride at room temperature for about 50 minutes. The l6oc-methyl-6-hydroxymethyl- 17ot,20,20,21 bis methylenedioxy-3 ethylenedioxy-S- pregnene-llfi-ol is transformed into l6ec-rnethyl-6-exomethylene l7a,20,20,2lbis methylenedioxy-4-pregnene-l1B-0l-3-0ne by reaction with p-toluenesultonic acid at room temperature for several hours. The l6a-methyl- 6-exornethylene l7oz,20,20,21 bis methylenedioxy 4- pregnene-llfi-ol-S-one is converted into l6oc-methyl-6-exomethylene-4-pregnene-11B,17a,2l-triol-3,20-dione by heating with 60% formic acid on a steam bath. The crystalline material is the l60t-Il'lfiil'lYl-6-BXOIIlGihYlBH6-4-Pi'6gnene-11{3,17a,2 l-triol 3,20 dione. The non-crystalline material is recovered as the ldie-methyl-6-exomethylene- 4-pregnene-l l[3,l7a,2l-triol-3,ZO-dione-Zl-acetate by reaction first with sodium methoxide in methanol to cleave any formate esters, recovering the product, and acetylating with acetic anhydride in pyridine.

The 161x methyl 6 exornethylene 4 pregnene-l7et, 2l-diol-3,11,20 trione and the corresponding Zl-acetate are prepared by converting the 17 a,20,20,2l-bis-methylenedioxy 3 ethylenedioxy Sm-pregnane-dU-dione into the 16m 'nethyl-6-torrnyl 17a,20,20,2l bis methylenedioxy-3-ethylenedioxy-5-pregnene-1l-one as indicated above. The latter compound is then converted into the loot-methyl-6-hydroxymethyl 17oc,2()',20,21 bis methylenedioxy- 3-ethylenedioxy-5-pregnene-ll-one by contacting with so- 3,20-dione,

inflammatory activity, and are about 50 minutes at room tempera- 17cz,20,20,21- ethylenedioxy pregnene-ll-ol is converted into l6a-methyl-6-exomethylene-17a,20,20, 2l-bis-methylenedioxy 3,11-dione by reaction With p-toluenesulfonic acid at room temperature for several hours. The 16e-methyl-e-exomethylene-170:,20, 20,21-bis-1nethylenedioxyl-pregnene-3,1l-dione is transformed into the 1Gar-methyl 6-exomethylenet-pregnene- 17e,=21-diol-3,11,20-trione by heating with 60% formic acid on a steam bath. The crystalline material is the 16ermethyl-6-exomethylene 4 pregnene 17a,21di0l-3,11, 20-trione. The non-crystalline material is recovered as the 16u-methyl-6-exomethylene 4 pregnene 1704,21- dio1-3,11,20-trione 21-acetate by reaction With sodium methoxide in methanol to cleave any formate esters, recovering the product, and acetylating with acetic anhy dride in pyridine.

The Mot-methyl 17a,20,20,21 bis methylenedioxy- 5a-pregnane-6,1l-dione used as the starting material for the above reaction can be prepared by reacting 16a-methyl-cortisone with formalin 16a-rnethyl 17a,20,20,21 bis methylenedroxy 4-pregnene-3,11-dione. The latter compound is converted into 16a-methyl l7a,20,20,21 bis methylenedioxy-3-eth ylenedioxy-S-pregnene-ll-one on reaction with ethylene glyco and p-toluenesulfonic acid. The 16a-methyl-17u, 20,20,21-bis methylenedioxy 3 ethylenedioXy-5 pregnone-1 l-one is oxidized with perbenzoic acid to give a mixture of the l6a-methyl-17u,20,20,2l-bis-methylenedioxy- 3-ethylenedioxy-fi'a-pregnane-1Lone-5,6 oxides, which on reaction sequentially with formic acid and then with potassolution gives 16oc-l'l16thYl-l7a,20,20,2lbis-methylenediOXy-Sa-pregnane-3,6,1l-trione. The latter compound is reacted with butanone dioxolane to give 16ozmethyl I7CL,ZO,20,21 bis methylenedioxy 5a pregnane-6,1l-dione.

The novel 6-exomethylenel-pregn-ene-llfi,l7ot,2l-triolthe 16u-methyl-6-exomethylene-4-pregnene- 11,8,l7a,21-triol-3,20-dione, and the 2l-acetates thereof, may be dehydrogenated at C-1 to form the corresponding 1,4-pregnadienes by the use of selenium dioxide, or by microbiological methods.

The novel 6-exomethylene A-pregnene-Ii-ones and the 6-exomethylene-A -pregn-adiene-3-ones possess high antiespecially elfective for the treatment of arthritis and related diseases, since they can be administered for their cortisone-like action in low dosthereby minimizing undesirable side effects.

pharmaceutical compositions ylene-A -steroid-3-ones and containing these 6-exometh- 6-exomethylene-A -steroid- 3-ones.

The following examples illustrate methods of carrying out the present invention but it is to be understood that these examples are given for purposes of illustration Example I M L-34 7) C, 68.92;

8. into 2 liters of Water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase is washed with water, dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated in vacuo. The crude product is chromatographed on acid-washed alumina. tion with mixtures of chloroform and ether, and cryst-allization from ethyl acetate yields 17.2 g. of 6a-ethynyl-l7a,20,20,2l-bis-methylenedioxy 3 ethylenedioxy-ja-pregnane-fifi-ol-ll-one, M.P. 221-230 C. A. sample for analysis, after recrystallization from ethyl. acetate, has the following properties: M.P. 223-229 C.; 1 62 (c. 1.0 CHCl Analysis (calculated for C T-T 0 C, 66.37; H, 7.43. Found (approximately): C, 66.87; H, 7.29.

Example 2 A solution of .thionyl chloride in pyridine is prepared by adding 7.3 cc. of freshly distilled thionyl chloride to 36 cc. of ice cold anhydrous pyridine. This is added drop- Wise to a stirred solution of 6a-ethynyl l7a,20,20,2l-bismethylenedioxy 3 ethylenedio-xy 5a pregnane 6,8- ol-ll-one in 42 cc. of pyridine. The rate of addition is: controlled so to maintain the temperature of the reaction mixture at 30 additional 0.5

tion from other affords bis methylenedioxy ll-one which decomposes at 200-207" properties: decomposes at CHCIg); U.V. A max. 233

208 C., (x -103 (c. 0 85 m e=12,500. Calculated H, 7.28. Found: C, 68.71; H, Elution with and petroleum ether affords 331 mg. of 6-([2]chloro-- 1,21-propadiene) l7a,20,20,21 bis methylenedioxy- 3-ethylenedic-xy-S-pregnane-l l-one, l76-210 C.. Two crystallizations from methanol affords an analytical sample, which has the following properties: decomposes. at 239-248 C.; (x 157 (c. 0.5 CHCIg). Calculated for C37H3507C1 C, 63.96; H, 6.96; Cl, 7.02. Found: C, 63.67; H, 7.11; Cl, 7.06.

bis methylenedioxy 3 ethylenedioxy 6- pregnene-l l-one.

Elution with ether affords an additional 0.87 g. of -ethynyl l70z,20,20,21 bis methylenedioxy-3-ethylenedioxy-S-pregnene-ll-one decomposing at 194-204 C., atotal of3.51 g. (56%).

Example 3 A solution consisting of 3.8 l7cz,Z0,20,21 bis methylenedioxy 3 ethylenedioxy-S- pregnene-ll-one and 1.23 g. of 0504 (60% of the amount calculated for the pure steroid) in cc. of benzene is allowed to stand at room temperature overnight. The

g. of the crude 6-vinylof 6-ethynyl-17ot,20,20,21- 3 ethylenedioxy 5 pregnene- C. The sample: for analysis, recrystallized from ether, has the following:

a 5:5 mixture of ether black -osmate is transferred to a tlask containing 150 oc. methylenedioxy 4-- pregnene 115 ol-Z-one, MP. 221- each of water and methane and 15 g. each of potassium 228 C. The sample for analysis is crystallized twice bicarbonate and sodium sulfite. The benzene is removed from ethyl acetate and has the following properties:

by distillation, 200 cc. of methanol is added, and reflux 232 C, 1x +139 (c. 1 Cl-1G UN. 1\ max. 262 is continued for a total of 4.5 hours. The solution is m,;., e 9,900. Analysis (calculated for G T-1 6 C, filtered and extracted with chloroform. The chloroform 69.21; H, 7.74. Found: C, 69.83; H, 7.94. layer is Washed with water dried and concentrated in vacuo to give the 6-([1,21-cthanediol)-17a,20,20,21-bismethylenedioxy 3 ethylenedioxy 5 pregnene 6{3ol- A suspension of 550 mg. of 6-formyl-17 u,20,20,21-bis- 11-one. The unpurified material may be used directly in methylenedioxy 3-ethylenedioxy-5-pregnene-1l-one, and the next step, or it may be purified by chromatography 550 mg. of sodium borohydride in 27 ml. of tetrahydroonaluminm furan and 5.4 ml. of water is stirred for 50 minutes at Example 5 room temperature. The reaction mixture is poured into ice water containing 6 g. of sodium dihydrogen phos- 15 phate, extracted with chloroform, dried and concentrated. Two crystallizations from ethyl acetate affords a sample for analysis of 6-hydroxymethyl-17a,20,20,21-bis-methylenedioxy 3 ethylenedioxy 5 pregnene-l l-one, Ml. 195-199 Cs, (x --69 (c. 1 CHCl Calculated for 0 131 0 C, 65.53; H, 7.61. Found: C, 66.01; H,

Example 7 The 6-([1,2] ethanediol)-17a,20,20,21-bis-methylenedioxy-Z-ethylenedioxy-S-pregnene-ll-one is cleaved by reaction of 3.9 g. of the crude diol With 3.8 g. of periodic acid in a solution consisting of 99 cc. methanol, 90 cc. pyridine and 90 cc. of water. The solution is maintained at room temperature for 45 minutes (there is an initial temperature rise) and poured into aqueous sodium bi;1

carbonate. The mixture is extracted with chloroform an the chloroform layer is washed with water, dried an A 9 of 125 0i Y Y F Y 3 concentrated. Trituration with ether affords 2.2 g. of 21 bls methylenedloxy 3 ethylenedloxy 19 gcwde crystamne material, MR 200%? C CryStaL nene-ll-one, and 15 mg. of p-toluenesulfonic acid 18 alfization from Ethyl acetate afiotds 030 g (22%) of 25 lowed to stand at room temperature overnight. The reformyl 17oz,20,20,2l bis methylenedioxy-3-ethylen action m xture is poured into aqueous sodium bicarbonoxy s pregnene n one, which has me following womb ate solution, extracted with chloroform, dried and conties: MR 2354450 0; D25 #1640 (Q 08 C1163); centrated. Two crystallizations from ethyl acetate-ether U v View 252 11 600 afford a sample of 6 exornethylene 17a,20,20,21 -bise r methylenedioxy-4-pregnene-3,1l-dione, MP. 197-201 Calculated for G T-1 0 C, 65.80; H, 7.22. Found: C, (3.; x +201 (c. 0.9 CHCl Calculated for 6574; 1,706. C H O C, 69.54; H, 7.30. Found: C, 69.83; H, 7.08.

Crystallization of the mother liquors gives 60 mg. of E xample 8 6 formyl 17a,20,2(),21 bis methyleneclioxy 3 ethylene-dioxy-6-pregnene-1l-one which decomposes at 35 A suspension of 0.26 g. of 6-exomethylene-17a,20,20,

280-310 C, Th format on f thi u d. i 21 -bis-methyleneclioxyt-pregnene-1lfi-ol-3-one in 8 cc. sumably due to the presence of some 6-ethynyl-1'7ot,20, 60% aqueous formic acid is heated on the steam bath 20,21 bis methylenedioxy 3 ethylenedioxy 6 P egfor 20 minutes. The resulting solution is cooled, poured nene-ll-one a a contaminant of the 6-ethynyl-17a,20, into ice water and extracted with chloroform. The or- 20,21 bis methylenedioxy 3 ethylenedioxy 5 pregganic phase is washed with aqueous sodium bicarbonate, nene-ll-one of Example 2. A sample for analysis, after dried, and concentrated in vacuo. Crystallization from recrystallization from ethyl acetate, has the following hyl a tate affords 30 mg. of 6-exomethylene-4-pregproperties: decomposes at 350 C. m +10 (c. 0.5 n ne-11B,17oc,21-triol-3,20-dione, which has the following dioxane); properties: Ml. 203 C.; 1, +256 (0.5 dioxane); U.V. R3552 232 m e 11,300 U.V. #1,:2 262 my, 6 10,300

Analysis (calculated for (3 1-1 0 C, 65.80; H, 7.22. To 175 mg. of the non-crystalline material is added 2 Found (approximately): C, 66.19; H, 6.77. ml. of methanol and 0.10 ml. of 1 N sodium methoxide.

The mixture is allowed to stand at room temperature for Exam le 6 p 15 minutes under an atmosphere of nitrogen in order to A solution of 0.9 r g. of 6-formyl-l7a,20,20,2l-biscleave any formate esters. After the addition of 2 drops methylenedioxy-S-ethylenedioxy-5-pregnene-1l-one in of acetic acid, the material is poured into water and excc. of tetrahydrofuran is treated with a solution of 1.0 g. tracted with chloroform. The chloroform phase is sodium borohydride in 10 cc. of water. The two-phase a hed with Water, dried and concentrated in vacuo. system is stirred for 64 hours at room temperature and The resulting gum is acetylated with 2.1 cc. of pyridine then poured into 6.0 g. of sodium dihydrogen phosphate and 2.0 cc. acetic anhydride at room temperature overin 100 cc. of water. The suspension is extracted with night The Solution is POllfed into ice Water and xhI fQ -m and L15 Qrganic phase, is washed with Water, tracted With chloroform. The ChlOI'OfOll'fl P111856 is dlifid dried and concentrated in vacuo. Crystallization from and cmlcemfated in Vacllochromatography on 10 benzene ffgrdg 055 i ld) f 6-hydyoxymeth- 60 of acid-washed alumina, elution with mixtures of chloroyl 17a,20,20,21 bis methylenedioxy 3 ethylen i. form and ether and crystallization from ethyl acetate oxy-S-pregnene-MB-ol, MI. 220-230" C. The sample gives Of Y -P 5. 2 for analysis after crystallization twice from benzene has i013,zo'dionerzl'acetate- The analytical p after the following properties; M P 2214306., 24 7 crystallization from ethyl acetate, has the following prop- (c. 1 ouc Calculated for c n o z c, 65.25; H, mice D 0.8 M; 8.00. Found: C, 65.00; H, 8.22. Maori A solution of 135 mg. of 6-hydroxymethyl-17a,20,20, 262 e 21 bis methylenedioxy 3 ethylenedioxy 5 preg- Calculated for z sz s H, Found: C, nene-llB-ol and 15 mg. of p-toluenesulfonic acid in 15 69.00; H, 7.63.

cc. of acetone is allowed to stand at room temperature 7 The 6 exomethylene-4-pregnene-17a,21-diol-3,11,20-

over night. The solution is poured into ice water and trione and the corresponding 21-acetate are prepared extracted with chloroform. The chloroform solution is from the 6-exomethyleue-17a,20,20,2l-bis-methylene-diwashed with aqueous sodium bicarbonate, dried and conoxy-4-pregnene-3,1l-dione following the above procecentrated. Crystallization from ethyl acetate gives 95 dures, but starting with the 6 exomethylene l7oc,20,20,

mg. 79% yield) of 6-exornethylene-17u,20,20,21-bis- 75 21 oismethylenedioxy-4-pregnene-3,1l-dione in place of l l the 6 exomethylene-l7a,20,20,21-bis-methylenedioxy-4- pregnene-l 1,6-ol-3-one.

Example 9 To 100 mg. of 6-exomethylenel-pregnene-1 1,8,17et,21-

triol-3,20-dione-2l-acetate in 5 ml. of t-butanol and 0.1 ml. of acetic acid is added 50 mg. of selenium dioxide. The mixture is red 50 The product is filtered, filtrate evaporated to dryness. The residue is extracted with ethyl acetate and the extract is washed successively with aqueous ether gives 6-exomethyll 3,20 di- Example 10 Septomyxa afiim's (ATCC 6737) is inoculated from a slant into one or more 250 ml. shake flasks containing 50 ml. of the following medium: 2% Edamin (Sheifield Farms), 5% glucose, and 0.5% corn steep liquor. After a 48 hour incubation at 28 C., 10 mg. of o-exomethylene-4-pregnene-115,17u,21-triol-3,2-0-dione is added to The o-exomethylene-1,4-pregnadiene-11B,17a,21-triol- 3,20-dione Descending paper chromatography of the product in a system using formamide substrate, but is largely hydrogenation product.

Bacillus sphaerz'cus (ATCC 12488) is inoculated from a slant into one or more 250 ml. shake flasks containing 50 m1. of the following medium: 2% Edamin (Sheffield Farms), 5% glucose, and 0.5% corn steep liquor. After a 24 hour incubation at 28 C., 10 mg. of -exomethylene-4-pregnene-11p,l7e,2l-triol-3,20dione is added to a dimethylformamide solution (100 The 6-exomethylene-1,4-pregnadiene-l l/3,17a,2l-triol- 3,20-dione is readily crystallized from the concentrate. Descending paper chromatography of the product in a system using formamide as shows some of the steroid substrate, but is largely the somewhat more polar A'-dehydrogenation product.

The o-exomethylene-1,4-pregnadiene-17a,21-diol-3,1l, Z'O trione is prepared from the o-exomethylenel-pregnene-17a,21-diol-3,11,20-trione following the above prostarting with the 6-exomethylene-4-pregnene- 17a,2l-diol-3,11,20-trione in place of the 6-exomethylene- 4-pregnene-l1o,l7a,21-triol-3,20-dione.

Corynebacrerizmz simplex (ATCC 6946) is inoculated 250 ml. shake flasks containing a medium having the composition: 1 g./liter yeast extract (Difco). After an 18 hour growth phase at 28 "i2. C., 10 mg. of 6-exometl1ylene-4-pregnene-11fi,17u,21- triol-3,20-dione-2l-acetate is added to each flask as a dimethylforrnamide solution mg./ml.). After a 24 hour transformation period at 28 C., the cells are centrifuged, followed by three ethyl acetate extracts of the trated in vacuo. 1 15,17a,21-triol-3,2'G-dione-21-acetate rectly from the concentrate. Paper chromatography of the product in a system utilizing formamide as the stationary phase and chloroform-benzene (1:1) as the mo- 'bile phase indicates that the product possesses a polarity slightly greater than the substrate.

The -exomethylene-1,4-pregnadiene-17a,2l-diol-3,11, 2O-trior1e ZI-acetate is prepared from the 6-exomethylene- 4-pregnene-l70,21-di0l-3,11,2O-trione-21-acetate following the above procedure, but starting with the 6-exomethylene-4-pregnene-17a,21-diol-3,11,20-trione 21-acetate in place of the 6-exomethylene-4-pregnene-11fl,17a,2l-triol 3,20-dione ZI-acetate.

Example 11 of l6a-methyl-cortisone in 5 litres of chloroform is added 1300 ml. of concentrated crude crystalline t-mthyl-17OC,2'0,20,21- *bis-methylenedioxy-4-pregnene-3,l l-dione. The

of methylene chloride by addition of methanol. The yield of 16ix-methyl-17u,20,20,21- bis-methylenedioxy-4 pregnene-3,11-dione, is 60-70%. It has the following properties: M.P. 244250 C.,

hit? 2383 (15,200)

(Found: C, 69.29; H, 7.70. Calculated for C H O C, 69.21; H, 7.74%), [a] +75 (in CHCl A solution containing 16.2 g. of 16a-methyl-17a,20,20, 21-bis-methylenedioxy-4-pregnene-3,1l-dione dissolved in 800 cc. of benzene is refluxed over night with 40 cc. of ethylene glycol and 1.6 g. of p-toluene-sulfonic acid. The cooled solution is Washed with aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution, dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated in Vacuo. The crude product is adsorbed on 400 g. of acid-Washed alumina from benzene. Elution with 1:1 ether-petroleum ether yields 8.5 g. (47%) of product, M.P. 2 00-210 C. The analytical sample of 1604 methyl-:,20,20,21-bis-methylenedioxy-3-ethylenedioxy-S-pregnene-ll-one is crystallized from methanol. It has the following properties: M.P. 211220 C. (Found: C, 67.99; H, 8.07. Calculated for C H O C, 67.80; H, 7.88%), [ab 80 (in CHCl A solution containing 16.5 g. of 16a-methyl-l7a,20,2 21 :bis-methylenedioxy 3-ethylenedioxy-S-pregnene-11- one and 45 meq. of penbenzoic acid in a total volume of 350 ml. of dark room at 5 5% acetone in hexane, separates the isomers. methyl l7a,20,2 0,21 bis-methylenedioxy-3-ethylenedi oxy-5,6 x-oxido 50 pregnane-l l-one has the following properties: M.P. 236243 C. Found: C, 65.27; H, 7.45. Caculated for C d-1 0 C, 65.57; H, 7.61), [ab 95 (in CHCI The mixed oxides, 1oor-rnethyl-l7m,20,20,2l-his-methylenedioxy 3 ethylenedioxy 5,6 oxide 5a pregnane-l l-one and 16 i-mfifhyh-170t-20,20-2I-blSmEthYICHB- ,2l-bis-methylenedioxy-S a-pregnane-3 ,6, l l-trione in 13 dioxy 3 ethylenedioxy 5,6,6 oxide pregnane 11- one, are dissolved in 300 cc. of 98-100% formic acid at room temperature and allowed to stand 2.5 hours. The solution is poured into water and extracted with chloroform. The chloroform solution is washed with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution, dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated in vacuo.

The crude mixed formates dissolved in 1400 cc. of methanol are refluxed 0.5 hour under nitrogen with a solution consisting of 27 g. of potassium hydroxide and 135 cc. of water. The cooled solution is neutralized with 37 cc. of acetic acid and concentrated in vacuo at 30 C. The resulting solution is poured into Water and extracted with chloroform. The chloroform layer 15 washed with aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution, dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated in vacuo. Crystallization from methanol yields the l6a-methyl-l7a,20,20,2l-bis-methylenedioxy-Sa-pregnane-3,6,ll-trione.

A solution consisting of 125 mg. of p-toluene-sulfonic acid in 2 cc. of butanone dioxolane is added to a boiling suspension containing 4.94 g. of the ler-methyl-l7w20g20,

cc. of butanone dioxolane. After a reflux period of 20 minutes, the reaction mixture is cooled quickly in an icebath, washed with aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution, dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated in vacuo. The material is purified by chromatography to yield the 16ermethyl 17a,20,20,21 bis methylenedioxy 3 ethylenedioxy-S a-pregnane-6,11-dione.

Example 1 2 A solution of ethyl magnesium bromide is prepared from 20 g. of magnesium and 80 cc. of ethyl bromide in 200 cc. of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran. Acetylene is bubbled through a solution of tetrahydrofuran for about 1 hour to form a saturated solution. The ethyl magnesium bromide is then added at a temperature of 40-5 C. over a period of 0.5 hour to the saturated solution of acetylene in tetrahydrofuran, and the mixture is kept at room temperature for an additional 2 hours, during which time the acetylene how is continued. A solution of 18 g. of l6a-methyl-l7a,20,20,2l-bis-methylenedioxy- 3-ethylenedioxy-5a-pregnane-6,1l-dione in 200cc. of tetrahydrofuran is then added to the acetylene magnesium bromide for a period of 0.3 hour and the resulting solution is kept at room temperature over night, the acetylene flow being discontinued 3.2 hours after the addition of the steroid (7 hours total from the start). The reaction mixture is then poured into 2 liters of water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase is washed with water, dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated in vacuo. The crude product is chromatcgraphed on acid-washed alumina. Elu'tion with mixtures of chloroform and ether, and crystallization from ethyl acetate, yields l6or-methyl-6wethynyl-lloa,20,20,2l-bis-methylenedioxy-3-ethylenedioxy-5 a-pregnane-dii-ol-l l-one.

Example 13 A solution of thionyl chloride in pyridine is prepared by adding 7.3 cc. of freshly distilled thionyl chloride to 36 cc. of ice cold anhydrous pyridine. This is added a stirred solution of l6e-methyl-l7ar-20,20, 21 bis methylenedioxy 3 ethylenedioxy 5a pregnane-oii-ol-ll one in 42 cc. of pyridine. The rate of addition is controlled so to maintain the temperature of the reaction mixture at 30 C. or below. The solution is stirred an additional 0.5 hour, cooled in ice and poured into ice water. The mixture is extracted with chloroform, washed with water, dried and concentrated in vacuo. Crystallization from ether allords 6e-methyl-6-ethynyll7d .20,20,21 bis methylenedioxy 3 cthylenedioxy- S-pregnenc-ll-one.

The mother liquors are chromatographed on acidwashed alumina and eluted with mixtures of etherzpw troleum ether to give 'l6m-methyl-6-([2]-chloro-[l,2]-

dropwise to id propadiene)-1'iu,20,20,2l bis methylenedioxy 3 ethylenedioxy-S-pregnane-ll-one and l6a-methyl-6-ethynyll7a,20,20,2l bis methylenedioxy 3 ethylenedioxy 6- pregnene-ll-one. Elution with ether gives an additional quantity of la-methyl-d-ethynyhl7n,20,20,21-bis-methylenedioxy-3-ethylenedioxy 5 -pregnene-l l-one.

Example 14 A solution of 3.70 g. of l6rxmethyl6-ethynyl-17all), 20,21 bis methylenedioxy 3 ethylenedioxy 5 pregnene-il one in 125 cc. of ethyl acetate is hydrogenated at atmospheric pressure and 23 3.15 g. of Lindlar catalyst, which is added in 3 separate 1.05 g. portions: (1) at the beginning of the hydrogenation, (2) after about 20 minutes, and (3) after about 40 minutes, after first filtering off the spent catalyst. A total of about 177 cc. of hydrogen is absorbed, the calculated amount being 184 cc. The solution is filtered and concentrated to give the 1604 methyl 6 vinyl 17 a,20,20,2l bis methylenedioxy-3-ethylenedioxy-5-pregnene-1l-one. The crude ma terial may be used directly in the next step, or it may be purified by chromatography on alumina followed by recrystallization.

Example 15 A solution consisting of 3.8 g. of the crude l6m-methyl- 6 vinyl l7 x,2(),20,21 bis methylenedioxy 3 ethylenedioxy-S-pregnenedl-one and 1.23 g. of 050 (60% of the amount calculated for the pure steroid) in 100' cc. of benzene is allowed to stand at room temperature over night. The black osmate is transferred to a flash containing 159 cc. each of water and methanol, and 15 g. each'of potassium bicarbonate and sodium sulfite. The benzene is removed by distillation, 200 cc. of methanol is added, and reflux is continued for a total of 4.5 hours. The solution is filtered and extracted with chloroform. The chloroform layer is washed with water, dried and concentrated in vacuo to give the 16e-methyl-6-([1,2]- ethanediol) 17a,20,20,2l bis methylene-dioxy 3 --ethylenedioxy-S-pregncne-6fi-ol-ll-one. The unpurified material may be used directly in the next step, or it may be purified by chromatography on alumina followed by recrystallization.

Example 16 The l6a-methyl-6-( [1,2]-ethanediol)-l7oc,20,20,2l-bismethylenedioxy-3-ethylenedioxy-5 pregnene 11 one is cleaved by reaction of 3.9 of the crude diol with 3.8 g. of periodic acid in a solution consisting of cc. methanol, 90 cc. pyridine and 9 cc. of Water. The solution is maintained at room temperature for 45 minutes (there is an initial temperature rise) and poured into aqueous sodium bicarbonate. The mixture is extracted with chloroform and the chloroform layer is washed with water, dried and concentrated. Trituration with ether affords a crude crystalline material which on recrystallization from ethyl acetate affords the 16a-methyl-6-formyl-17m,20,20,2l-bismethylenediOxy-S-ethylenedioxy-5 -pregnene-l l-one.

Example 17 A solution of 0.94 g. of l6a-methyl-6-formyl-l7u,20, 20,2l-bis-methylenedioxy-3 ethylenedioxy 5 pregnenel'l-one in 50 cc. of tetrahydrofuran is treated with a solution of 1.0 g. sodium borohydride in 10 cc. of water. e two-phase system is stirred into 6.0 g. of sodium dihydrogen phosphate in cc. of water. The suspension is extracted with chloroform and the organic phase is Washed with water, dried and concentrated in vacuo. Crystallization from benzene afiords l6m-methyl-o-hydroxymethyl- 17a,20,20,2l bis methylenedioxy 3 ethylenedioxy-S- pregnene-l 15-01.

A solution of mg. of 16a-methyl-l7or,20,20,21-bismethylenedioxy-B-ethylenedioxy-5-pregnene-llfl-ol and 15 mg. of p-toluenesulfonic acid in 15 cc. of acetone is allowed to stand at room temperature overnight. The solution is pour-ed into ice water and extracted with .mixture is refluxed Crystallization from ethyl acetate gives 16a-methyl 6-exomethylene-l7a,20,20,21-bis-methylenedioxy 4 pregnene- Example 18 A suspension of 550 mg. of l6a-methyl-6-formyl-l7u, 20,20,2l=bis-methylendioxy3 ethylenedioxy 5 pregsodium borohydride in 27 ml. of water is stirred for The reaction mixture is 6 g. of sodium dihydroafford a sample of 16a-methyl-6-exomethylene-17a,20,20, 21-bis-rnethylenedioxy-4-pregnene-3,1l-dione.

Example 19 A suspension of 0.26 g. of 16amethyl-6-exomethylene 17a,20,20,2l-bis-methylenedioxy-4-pregnene 11 3 ol 3- one in 8 cc. of 60% aqueous formic acid is heated on the steam bath for 20 minutes. The resulting solution is concentrated in vacuo. Crystallization from ethyl acetate affords 16a-methyl-6-exometh ylenet-pregnenel 1,6,l7a,21 triol-3,20-di0ne.

To 175 mg. of the non-crystalline material is added 2 ml. of methanol and 0.10

and crystallization from ethyl acetate exomethylene-4-pregnene-1 1/8,17a,21-triol-3,20-dione acetate.

The l6a-methyl-6-eX0methylene 4 pregnene 17a,21-

and the corresponding ZI-acetate are prepared from the 16ix-methyl-6-exomethylene-17a,20,20, 21-bis-methylenedioxyl-pregncne 3,11 dione following the above procedures, but starting with the 16a-methyl-6- exomethylene-l7a,20,20,2l-bis-methylenedioxy 4 preg nene-3,11-dione in place of the l6a-methyl-6-exomethylene-17a,20,20,21-bis-methylenedioxy-4-pregnene-1 -01-3- one.

Example To 100 mg. of 16a-methyl-o-exomethylene-4-pregnene- 11,8,17a,21-tfiOl-3,20dl0116 ZI-acetate in 5 ml. of t-butanol :and 0.1 ml. of acetic acid is added 50 mg. of selenium dioxide.

w is added and the an additional 24 hours. The product .is filtered, and the filtrate evaporated to dryness. residue is extracted With ethyl acetate hydrochloric acid and water, and then dried over magnesium sulfate. The extract is treated with activated charcoal and then concentrated to dryness. Crystallization of the residue from a mixture of acetone and ether gives l6a-methyl-6-exomethylene-1,4-pregnadicne 1i/3,17a,21- triol-3,20-dione-2l-acetate.

The 16a-methyl-fi-exomethylene-1,4-pregnadiene 17 or, 21-di0l-3,l1,20-trionc-2l-acetate is prepared from the 16ccmethyl=6 exomethylene-4-pregnene-17a,21 diol 3,11,20- trione ZI-acetate following the above procedure, but starting with the l6cz-rnethyl-6-exornethylene-4-pregnene-17a, 2l-diol-3,ll,20-trione 2l-acetate in place of the l6a-methyl-6-exornethylene-4-pregnene-1 1/3, 170:,21-t1l0l-3,20-di0l'1- ZI-acetate.

Example 21 Seplomyxa a/fim's (ATCC 6737) is inoculated fromv a slant into one or more 250 ml. shake flasks containing 50 ml. or" the following medium: 2% Edamin (Shefiield Farms), 5% glucose, and 0.5% corn steep liquor. After a 48 hour incubation at 28 C., 10 mg. of 16a-methyl-6- exornetliylene 4-pregnene-11B,17a,2l-triol-3,20-dione is added to each shake flask as a dimethylformamide solution mg./1r1l.). After a conversion period of 24 hours, the cells are removed by filtration, followed by three successive extractions with equal volumes of ethyl acetate. The extracts are combined and concentrated in vacuo.

The methyl-6-exomethylenc-l,4-pregnadiene-l1,6, 17a,21-tli01-3,20-di01'16 is readily crystallized from the concentrate. Descending paper chromatography of the product in a system using formamide as polar A-dehydr0genation product.

Bacillus sp/zaericus (ATCC 12488) is inoculated from a slant into one or more 250 ml. shake flasks containing 50 ml. of the following medium: 2% Edamin (Sheffield Farms), 5% glucose, and 0.5% corn steep liquor. a 24 hour incubation at 28 C., 10 mg. of 6-exornethylene- 16a methy 4-pregnene-l1,8,17u,21-triol-3,20-dione is added to each shake flask as a dimethylforrnamide solution (100 mg./rnl.). hours, the cells are removed by filtration, three successive extractions with equal volume of ethyl acetate. The extracts are combined and concentrated in vacuo.

The 6 exomethylene-lore-methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-1In, l-7iz,2l,triol-3,20-dione is readily crystallized from the concentrate. Descending paper chromatography of the product in a system using formamide as the stationary phase and chloroform as the mobile phase, shows some of the steroid substrate, but is largely the somewhat more polar A'-dehydrogenation product. 1

The 16st methyl-o-exornethylene-l,4pregnadiene-l7a, 2l-diol-3,l1,20-trione is prepared from the l6e-methyl- 6 exomethylene 4- regnene-l7a,2l-diol-3,l1,20-trione following the above procedures, but starting with the 160:- methyl 6-exomethylene-4-pregnene-17a,2l-diol-3,1 1,20- trione in place of the I6mmethyl-6-exornethylene-4-pregnone-1 1 3,17a,2l-triol3,20-dione.

Corynebacterium simplex (ATCC 6946) is inoculated ing a medium having the composition: 1 g./liter yeast extract (Difco). After an 18 hour growth phase at 28 C., 10 mg. of 6-exomethylene-16a-methyl-4-pregnenel1 3, 17a,2I-triol-3,20-dione-2l-acetate is added to each shake flask as a dimethylformamide solution (100 mg./ml.). After a 24 hour transformation period at 28 C., the cells are centrifuged, followed by three ethyl acetate extracts of the cell-free broth. The extracts are combined and concentrated in vacuo. The 6-exomethylene-l6a-methyl- 1,4-pregnadiene-l1,8,171,21-triol-3,20-dione-2l-acetatc is crystallized directly from the concentrate. Paper chromatography of the product in a system utilizing formamide as the stationary phase and chloroform-benzene (1:1)

as the mobile phase indicates that the product possesses 10. 6 ethynyl 17a,20,20,2l-bis-methylenedioxy-S- a polarity slightly greater than the substrate. ethylenedioxy-6-pregnene-ll-one.

The 160:, ethyl-6-exomethylene-1,4-pregnadiene-l7a, 11. 6 forrnyl 17a,20,20,2l biS-methylenedioXy-3- 21-diol-3,11,20-trione-2l-acetate is prepared from the 16ozethylenedioxy-S-pregnene-1l-one methyl 6-exomethylene-4-pregnene-l7u,21-diol-3,11,20- 5 12. 6 hydroxyrnethyl 17a, 20,20,21 bis-methylenetrione-21-acetate following the above procedure, but di0xy-3-ethylenedioxy-S-pregnene-l15-01.

starting with the 16e-methyl-6-exomethylene-4-pregnene- 13.,6 exornethylene 17a,20,20,21-bismethylenedi- 17a,21-diol-3,11,20-trione-2l-acetate, in place of the 1611- oxy-4-pregnene-1lfl-ol-3-one. methyl 6 exomethylene-4-pregnene-11fi,17a,21-triol-3, 14. A compound selected from the group consisting of 20-dione21-acetate. 10 6 exornethylene 4 pregnene-l113,17u,21-triol-3,20-

Various changes and modifications may be made in dione and the 21-acetate thereof. carrying out the present invention without departing from A compound Selected from the gYOuP Consisting 0f the spirit and scope thereof. Insofar as these changes 6-exomethylene -1,4-pregnadiene-llB,17,21-triol-3,20= and modifications are within the purview of the annexed dione and the 21-acetate thereof. claims, they are to be considered as part of our invention. 15 16- 6 hydroxymethyl 17(130,20,ZI-biS-rhfithYlEfiBdi- We claim: oxy 3 ethylenedioxy 5 pregnene-ll-one. 1. Process for the preparation of 6a-ethynyl-17a,20,20, 6 exomethylene 1706,20,201l-bis-methylenedi- 21 bis-methylenedioxy-3-ethylenedioxy-5 a-pregnane-6p- 0xy-4-preguene-3,1l-dione. ol-ll-one which comprises reacting 17a,20,20,2l-bis- 18. 16a methyl 6m-ethynyl-l7a,20,20,21-bis-methylmethylene dioxy 3-ethylenedioxy-5a-pregnane-6,1l-di- 2O enedi0Xy-3-ethylenedioxy-5a-pregnane-6p-ol-1Lone. one with acetylene magnesium halide. 19. 160: methyl 6-ethynyl-17a,20,20,21-bis-methyl- 2. Process for the preparation of 6-ethynyl-17a,2tl,20, Y- t Y Y- -Pr g 1- n. 21 bis-methylenedioxy 3-ethylenedi0xy-S-pregnene-ll- 16d methyl 6 Y Y y one which comprises dehydrating 6u-ethynyl-17u,20,20, Y- y Y- -P 21 bis-methylenedioxy-3-ethylenedioxy-5a-pregnane-6 g- 21. l6m-methyl- 6-vinyl-17a,20,20,21-bis-methyleneol-ll-one with thionyl chloride. yy Y- -r -1 3. Process for the preparation of 6-vinyl-l7u,20,20, mfithyl 6 y l l l y 21 bis-methylenedioxy-3-ethylenedioXy-5-pregnene-l1- n Y- Y Y' 'p one which comprises hydrogenating 6-ethynyl-l7a,20,20, 16m methyl 6 y 1 1 3 y 21 bis-methylene-di0xy-3-ethy1enedioxy-5-pregnene-11- Y- Y Y- -p one usingaLindlar catalyst, 24. 160:. methyl 6 hydroxymethyl-17a,20,20,21- 4. Process for the preparation of 6([1,2] -ethanediol)- Y Y- y y' 'P 6- 17a,20,20,21 bis methylenedioxy-3-ethylenedioxy-5- 16a methyl 6 y l l l pregnene-ll-one which comprises oxidizing 6-vinyl-17a, Y Y- "P 5- 20,20,21 bis methylenedioxy-S-ethylenedioxy-5-preg- A compound Elected from the group Consisting nene-ll-one with osmium tetroxide of 160:. methyl-6-exomethylene-4-pregnene-1l5,17u,21-

5. Process for the preparation of 6-formyl-l7u,20,20, trim-330410115 and the Zlflcetate thereof- 21 bis-methylenedioxy 3-ethylenedioxy-S-pregnene-l1- A compound Selected from the E Consisting of one which comprises reacting 6-( [1,2]-ethanediol)-17a, methyl 6 exomethylwe 1,4'PIegI1HGieI1E-11I3J7ri, 20,20,21 his methylenedioxy-3-ethylenedioxy-5-preg- 3 and the 21-666mm them nene-ll-one with periodic acid. methyl 6 y y y 6. Process for the preparation of 6-hydroxymethyl-17a, bis'methylenedioxy 3 ethylenedioxy 5 P 20,20,21 bis-methylenedioxy-3-ethylenedioxy-S-pregnene- 1l/3-0l which comprises reacting 6-formyl-l7a,2(),20,2lmethyl 6 exomethylene'fluzogozl'bis' bis methylenedioXy-3-ethylenedioxy-5-pregnene-1l-one ylenedi0Xy-4-pregnene-3,1l-dione. with sodium borohydride for about 60 hours at room A Compound selected from the group consisting of temperature 1611 methyl-6-exomethylene-1,4-pregnadiene-17 ail-diel- 7. Process for the preparation of 6-eXomethylene-4- 331104110116 and the zl'acetate thereof pregnene-l1{3,l7oc,21-triol-3,20-dione which comprises reacting 6 ericimetlhgllene-17220,2021-bis-methylenedioxy References Cited in the file of this patent -pregnene- ,B-o -one wit a ower carboxylic acid. 8. ethynyl 17a,20,20,21-bis-methylenedioxy-3- UNITED STATES PATENTS ethylenedioxy-Sa-pregnane-6p-ol-1l-one. 2,337,454 Nobile June 1958 9. 6 ethynyl :,20,2O,21 bis-methylenedioxy-3- 2,980,711 001w 18, 1961 ethylenedioxy-S -pregnene-l l-one. 5 5 

1. PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF 6A-ETHYNYL-17A,20,20, 21 - BIS-METHYLENEDIOXY-3-ETHYLENEDIOXY-5A-PREGNANE-6BOL-11-ONE WHICH COMPRISES REACTING 17A,20,20,21-BISMETHYLENE - DIOXY - 3 - ETHYLENEDIOXY-5A-PREGNANE-6,11-DIONE WITH ACETYLENE MAGNESIUM HALIDE.
 8. 6A-ETHYNYL - 17A,20,20,21 - BIS - METHYLENEDIXOY-3ETHYLENEDIOXY-5a-PREGNARE-6B-OL-11-ONE.
 26. A COMPOUND SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF 16A - METHYL-6-EXOMETHYLENE-4-PRAGNENE-1B,17A,21TRIOL-3,20-DIONE AND THE 21-ACETATE THEREOF. 